The Best Music of 2017

2017 was an eventful year, to put it mildly—and its music was no exception. In a time defined by unpredictability, artists stepped up with their own expressions, embracing the beauty of life and protesting its injustices. Across more than a dozen features, Pitchfork looks at the moments that defined the year—the best albums and songs, along with the most emotional live sets, the sharpest literature, the savviest TV syncs. We revisit the poetic lyrics that made us think, the fiery political statements that raised our fists, the cinematic music videos that we couldn’t look away from. We discover the music that made this year, which is also the music we’ll be listening to for years to come.